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Letter from Publisher, October 2013

So much of what we hear about these days has to do with changes needed in our world. Want a better life? We might change our eating, thinking, habits and relationships with anyone or anything. It can be overwhelming to consider all of the healthy changes we should be making on behalf of ourselves, others and all life

on this planet. No one can do it all on a personal level, but as a collective whole, we can move mountains. This issue of Natural Awakenings offers numerous ways we can all take little steps forward toward big changes for a good future.
As just one example, I like to give unused possessions to friends and family that can use them. What I don’t give away, I sell twice a year; kids’ furniture and toys, clothing and other items are great for this. There are many of these kinds of sales in the area. Here’s how it works. A group of people form a consignment business and host a sort of giant yard sale at a location for a weekend or longer set number of days. Hundreds of consignors are invited to pay a small fee to have their kids’ items there for the duration of the sale. These sales are highly anticipated by many parents for the large selection at extremely discounted prices. The culmination of the event is a half price sale where sellers try to move all of their unsold items. Anything left goes to an announced children’s charity.

It feels good to know that outgrown items aren’t sitting in the dump decomposing at an alarmingly slow rate and harming the environment. We like that possessions we no longer need or want will be loved by another family as new-to-them items again fulfilling their function and purpose. We also cherish the new-to-us treasures we repurpose in our home.

Other business people are making positive progress when it comes to caring for our environment as well. This month, we interview two local LEED certified business owners that decided to reduce their impact on the environment when they moved offices (page 22). We also hear from the Doylestown Food Co-op on the benefits of sourcing food locally, Dr. Lisa Rhodes about electromagnetic energy and how it relates to health and Lyn Hicks with her expansive perspective on the value of green living.

Whether we commit to buying only from local businesses or consistently look at labels to see how and where things are made, the small things we do each day compound and add up to a better life all the way around.